Drivers With Eyes On Multiple Prizes Heading Into 99th Season of Racing
The 99th season of racing at Hawkeye Downs Speedway is near. This means so are the thrills, spills, and relentless pursuit of victory! As the engines roar to life on Saturday, April 27th, the scent of burning rubber fills the air. The stage is set for a busy race season of heart-stopping action and fierce competition.
The ambition and determination of the grid of seasoned racers and newcomers are the same, but their goals vary. Stacy Olson, a familiar face in the Legends Series at Hawkeye Downs, is poised to shake things up by venturing into the realm of Sport Mods. With a hunger for change gnawing at her, Olson explained, "I needed a change. I wasn’t gaining anything in my legend. I was struggling and couldn't get out of that funk."
Armed with a new challenge, she acknowledged the hurdles ahead, having received her car just a week before the season. "My overall goal is to make the tech barn and to see smiles when I pull into the pits from my people instead of them kicking rocks," Olson shared.
John Carnahan, who dabbled part-time racing in the Hornets series last year, is now committed to a full-time endeavor. Reflecting on the past season, Carnahan shared, "I learned a lot about setup and corner entry in a Hornet. The way I was able to corner in enduros was definitely different, so it took a lot of breaking habits and learning new ones."
With a new understanding of the challenges ahead, Carnahan set his sights on improvement, aiming to "hang with the fast guys" and hone his skills throughout the season.
Todd Ness, a seasoned contender in the Sportsman series, approaches the new season with the hunger of a predator eyeing its prey. Having finished second overall last year, Ness reflected on his journey, acknowledging past setbacks and lessons learned. "I had a couple of self-maintenance problems that may have cost a few points that we learned from," he revealed. With his sights set firmly on the prize, Ness' goal for the season is clear: win every race.
In addition to new faces behind the wheel, Hawkeye Downs will also host a new series on the half-mile track this year called the HD Dawgs. This will include a unique combination of vehicles running on breakout rules throughout the season. They will debut during the season opener along with the Legends, Hobby Stocks, Hornets, Sportsman, Sport Mods, and Late Models.
The 99th season of Hawkeye Downs promises to be a spectacle of speed, skill, and determination. With each lap, drivers inch closer to their goals, leaving a trail of dust and dreams in their wake.
Our Hawkeye Downs staff, volunteers, sponsors, racers, and fans look forward to seeing all seven racing classes hit the track this weekend. Tickets are available at the gate. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 27th, opening ceremonies will begin at 2:00 p.m., with racing to follow. Tickets are available at the gate with cash or card. Get live updates on our Facebook page, including line-up and weather information.
